(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/121025-mali-hmed-323p.photoblog600.jpg)Adama Diarra / Reuters fileMilitiaman from the Ansar Dine Islamic group, who said they come from Niger and Mauritania in northeastern Mali in June.By ReutersAlgeria, a key power in north Africa, has given tacit approval for African-led military intervention to stop Islamic militants in neighboring Mali, sources in Algeria and France said.
The former French colony shares a 1,200-mile border with Mali, and is wary of any outside interference and conflict spilling over its borders.
Follow @NBCNewsWorld (http://twitter.com/NBCNewsWorld)It fears military action in Mali could push al-Qaida militants back into southern Algeria as well as triggering a refugee and political crisis, especially among displaced Malian Tuaregs heading north to join tribes in Algeria.
Although Algiers would not be able to veto an operation, it would be diplomatically risky for African countries backed by Western powers to intervene in Mali without Algeria's consent, especially as the conflict could drag on for many months.
NBCNews